Monroe, Louisiana Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Monroe, Louisiana: median public in-state tuition $6,674 (+21.1% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $46,769 (-14.0% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 91.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $11,000 (-17.1% vs U.S.) 8,278 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 6 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 8,278 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $6,674 (+21.1% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $46,769 (-14.0% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 91.4% (+3.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $10,584 (+6.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $11,000 (-17.1% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 54.2%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 72.8%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Monroe serve students across Louisiana with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 6 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 8,278 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $6,674. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Monroe, Louisiana and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Monroe vs Louisiana & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, Louisiana | $6,674 | $10,584 | $11,000 | 54.2% | 8,278 |
| Louisiana (state median) | $6,004 | $11,456 | $13,136 | 45.0% | 186,008 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Monroe, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, Louisiana | $46,769 | 91.4% | 72.8% | 8.5% | — | 74.3% | 0.46 |
| Louisiana (state median) | $47,477 | 89.7% | 71.7% | 7.0% | — | 75.9% | 0.48 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Louisiana (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, Louisiana | $6,674 | $10,584 | $11,000 | 54.2% | 8,278 | $46,769 | 91.4% |
| Baton Rouge | $13,764 | $20,850 | $14,084 | 45.5% | 48,671 | $51,395 | 91.1% |
| New Orleans | $14,522 | $15,635 | $20,349 | 48.5% | 34,679 | $50,750 | 89.4% |
| Lafayette | $13,365 | $19,676 | $9,110 | 52.6% | 18,710 | $47,089 | 91.9% |
| Lafayette | $13,365 | $19,676 | $9,110 | 52.6% | 18,710 | $47,089 | 91.9% |
| Hammond | $8,373 | $12,882 | $15,015 | 45.4% | 9,739 | $46,482 | 90.9% |
| Hammond | $8,373 | $12,882 | $15,015 | 45.4% | 9,739 | $46,482 | 90.9% |
| Lake Charles | $6,397 | $12,204 | $9,833 | 47.0% | 8,115 | $46,453 | 88.6% |
| Alexandria | $5,574 | $11,659 | $9,110 | 34.2% | 7,141 | $42,205 | 89.5% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 54.2%, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.4%, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Most selective college in Monroe, Louisiana (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 84.8%, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,828, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $134,329, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,430, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $42,240, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,769, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $147,948, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Most affordable college in Monroe, Louisiana (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $13,466, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Top college in Monroe, Louisiana by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 72.8%, University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
In-state tuition: Monroe, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Monroe, Louisiana median in-state tuition is $6,674, +21.1% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Monroe, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Monroe, Louisiana is $11,000 (-17.1% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.
Median earnings (10 years out): Monroe, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Monroe, Louisiana center around $46,769 (-14.0% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Monroe, Louisiana vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 91.4% at the median Monroe, Louisiana campus (+3.4 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Monroe, Louisiana median public in-state tuition is $6,674, about +21.1% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +33.7%.
Median graduate debt is $11,000 (-17.1% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Monroe, Louisiana are $46,769, about -14.0% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 91.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+3.4 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 72.8% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 8.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 74.3% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Louisiana at Monroe (91.4%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Monroe, Louisiana is 54.2% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Monroe?
This city profile covers 6 campuses in Monroe, Louisiana with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Monroe?
Median in-state tuition in Monroe is $6,674 and median net price is $10,584. For Louisiana overall, medians are $6,004 and $11,456; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Monroe?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Monroe is $46,769 vs $47,477 for Louisiana and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Monroe colleges?
Median completer debt in Monroe is $11,000 vs $13,136 for Louisiana and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Monroe?
Top campuses on this page include University of Louisiana at Monroe (graduation) and University of Louisiana at Monroe (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Monroe?
Among 6 College Scorecard campuses in Monroe, Louisiana, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.
Sources & related
- Louisiana college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON